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Posts Tagged ‘oral hygiene’

Self-help techniques for improved oral health

Wednesday, August 12th, 2020

With many dental practices running a reduced service at the moment, dentists are urging patients to take good care of their teeth and gums. The Coronavirus lockdown has caused significant backlogs, and many dental teams are working to reorganise delayed and cancelled appointments before resuming routine services, such as check-ups. In the absence of the widespread availability of dental examinations, here are some self-help techniques you can utilise to keep your smile in check. 

Oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the most effective way to keep dental disease at bay and reduce the risk of ailments and unpleasant symptoms such as toothache, bleeding gums and infections. Ideally, your daily oral hygiene regime should include twice-daily brushing using fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing or interdental brushing. Clean your teeth for at least two minutes each morning and evening, and try and avoid brushing within 45 minutes of eating or drinking. When you brush, apply toothpaste to the bristles and gently guide the brush around your teeth, angling the head to reach right into the corners and covering every surface of each individual tooth. Try and resist the temptation to brush hard. If you brush too firmly, this can damage the enamel. It’s also beneficial to avoid rinsing after brushing to prevent removing fluoride from the tooth surface. Interdental cleaning using a small hand-held brush or floss is important for targeting areas that cannot be reached with a toothbrush. After cleaning your teeth, brush your tongue with your toothbrush or use a tongue scraper. This will help to remove bacteria and food debris and lower the risk of bad breath (halitosis).

Diet

Your diet has an essential role to play if you’re on a mission to protect your teeth and gums. While many foods, for example, dairy products, nuts, seeds and leafy green vegetables, are good for your teeth because they contain calcium, some can be harmful. Foods that contain a lot of sugar and acidic foods and drinks carry a risk of decay and gum disease. As well as keeping an eye on what you eat, it’s critical to think about when you eat. This is because bacteria release acids when they feed. These acids attack and weaken the tooth enamel temporarily, and the teeth can only withstand a limited number of acid attacks. Aim to stick to three main meals and avoid grazing. If you snack all day, your enamel will not get chance to recover, and it may become worn and weak. 

Dental care

It might not be possible to see a dentist every 6-12 months at the moment, but it’s vital to seek advice if you do have any concerns about your dental health. Contact your dentist if you have prolonged periods of toothache or severe pain, or you notice blood when you brush your teeth. Bleeding, sore and swollen gums are symptomatic of gum disease, while pain, fever, inflammation and tenderness can be linked to dental infections. Your dentist will be able to recommend pain relief options, and they can also book an appointment for you if you need immediate treatment. 

Summary

There are several very simple steps you can take to improve your dental health and reduce the risk of oral health problems. Twice-daily brushing, eating well and seeking advice if you notice unusual symptoms will stand you in good stead to avoid dental dilemmas. 

Five Tooth Brushing Tips for a Fresher Mouth

Tuesday, March 28th, 2017

shutterstock_447120436There’s nothing better than that fresh feeling you get when you’ve cleaned your teeth and you’ve got a lovely sparkling smile. If you’re after a fresher, cleaner mouth and a bright, beautiful smile, here are five brushing tips to take on board:

  1. Brush for 2 minutes: when you clean your teeth, do you wiggle the brush around and hope for the best? If so, you’re probably not doing the thorough job your teeth require. Spend at least 2 minutes brushing your teeth twice a day. If you don’t have a brush with a timer, you can set one on your phone or brush along to a song.
  2. Use a brush with a small head: if you find it tough to reach right into the corners of the mouth with your toothbrush, it may be because the brush head is too big. If you have brush with a small head, you can clean the corners much more effectively.
  3. Brush gently: you may think that the harder you brush, the better; however, this is not the case. If you brush very vigorously, you can actually do more harm than good. This is because brushing firmly can damage your enamel.
  4. Floss: flossing is important because it cleans that parts of the mouth that are commonly missed when you brush, such as the tiny gaps between your teeth.
  5. Brush your tongue: your tongue tends to attract bacteria, and most cases of bad breath are linked to bacteria lurking around the back of the tongue. When these bacteria feed, they release acids, which have an unpleasant odour. When you’ve finished brushing your teeth, clean your tongue with a brush or a tongue scraper.

Which Toothbrush Is Best For Me?

Monday, September 14th, 2015

297243_blogWith all kinds of different makes and models and prices ranging from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds, it can be tricky trying to choose the perfect toothbrush. If you’re in the market for a new brush or you’re thinking about swapping your existing toothbrush for a new model, here are some tips:

Ask your dentist for recommendations

There are lots of different brushes around and often, the best thing to do if you’re unsure which brush would be best for you, is to ask your dentist. Many brushes are standard, but many also have added features, which may be beneficial for you; your dentist will be able to recommend approved brands and specific brushes, which will suit your dental needs.

Go for a small head

Brushing can only produce a limited clean because it’s hard to reach every area of the mouth with a brush, but investing in a toothbrush with a small head can help you to cover more ground. Small heads are easier to manoeuvre and they can reach further back into the corners of the mouth.

Invest in electric

Electric toothbrushes are proven to offer a deeper, more effective clean than manual brushes because the brush head oscillates very quickly and is consequently more powerful. The price of electric toothbrushes varies hugely and you don’t need to pay a lot of money for a brush, which will guarantee you a good clean. If you like gadgets, you can pay more for smart brushes, which connect with phones and tablets, enabling you to track your brushing progress and identify potential areas for improvement.

Read reviews

Often, reading consumer reviews can help you to make a decision once you have narrowed down the selection of products; reviews are written by people who have already used the product and they can help to provide information about the pros and cons.

5 Handy Tips To Get The Best Teeth Clean At Home

Wednesday, September 9th, 2015

297243_blogGood oral hygiene is your best weapon against dental disease and it’s really beneficial to hone your home cleaning regime in order to enjoy a healthy, bright smile. Here are 5 handy tips to help you achieve that perfect clean at home:

  1. Choose the right brush: when looking for a toothbrush, try to go for a brush with a small head and soft to medium bristles. Electric toothbrushes are proven to remove plaque more effectively than manual brushes, but you don’t nee to spend a lot of money to achieve a really thorough clean.
  2. Swap your brush regularly: old, worn bristles are not capable of achieving the same depth of cleaning as new bristles, so make sure you remember to swap your toothbrush, or change your brush head if you have an electric brush, on a regular basis. Ideally, you should change your brush every 3-4 months.
  3. Use fluoride toothpaste: we strongly recommend using fluoride toothpaste, as fluoride helps to strengthen and protect your tooth enamel, the protective outer layer of the teeth. Follow the usage instructions and take care with children, as fluoride levels in adult toothpaste may be too high for younger children. It’s also important to make sure that you brush for 2 minutes twice a day, once in the morning and once before you go to bed.
  4. Brush gently: some people may assume that the harder you brush, the better the clean; however, this is not the case. Brushing firmly can actually do more harm than good, as it can damage the enamel. When you brush, be gentle, but thorough.
  5. Make time for inter-dental cleaning: your toothbrush can only clean part of your mouth and inter-dental cleaning should form an important part of your daily brushing regime. Inter-dental cleaning focuses on the cracks and gaps between the teeth and you can either floss or use inter-dental brushes to ensure a more thorough clean.

Three Ways Plaque Harms Your Teeth

Sunday, August 30th, 2015

364999_blogPlaque is a major threat to healthy teeth and gums and studies show that it can also increase the risk of potentially serious general health conditions, but what exactly is plaque and how does it harm your teeth?

What is plaque?

Plaque is a sticky colourless substance, which constantly forms in your mouth. You can often feel plaque if you run your tongue over your teeth having not brushed them for a while, for example in the morning. Plaque is easily removed with good oral hygiene, but it can be very dangerous if left alone. Plaque hardens and turns into tartar, which cannot be removed by standard brushing. Plaque is the main cause of dental diseases, including decay and gum disease and the best way of avoiding it is to remember to brush twice a day every day and keep on top of inter-dental cleaning, either by using inter-dental brushes or dental floss.

How does plaque harm the teeth?

Here are 3 ways plaque harms your teeth:

  1. Decay: plaque is the most common cause of tooth decay, a dental disease, which causes cavities to form in the outer layers of the teeth. The bacteria present in plaque released acids when they feed and this causes erosion of the enamel; once the enamel is worn, it is very hard to rebuild and the tooth is vulnerable to infection and injury.
  2. Gum disease: plaque acids irritate the gums and cause them to become painful and swollen; the outcome of this is commonly gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Plaque is constantly forming in the mouth and if it is not removed, it hardens and becomes tartar. Tartar beneath the gum line is a major cause of advanced gum disease, also known as periodontal disease.
  3. Bad breath: plaque contains bacteria, which release gases when they feed; these gases have an unpleasant odour and they cause bad breath. The best way to tackle bad breath is to maintain good oral hygiene at home and brush the teeth twice a day and floss daily.

We Can Give Your Oral Health A Jump Start In Central Leeds

Saturday, January 24th, 2015

297243_blogIf your teeth need some TLC to kick-start the New Year, there’s nothing better than a trip to the dental hygienist. if the festive period has left your teeth looking a little discoloured or you fancy treating your teeth to a spring clean to banish bacteria and make your smile glow, now is the perfect time to call and make your appointment.

What do hygienists do?

Hygienists provide a range of preventative treatments, in addition to treatment for bad breath (halitosis), gum disease, decay and staining. Hygienists use advanced cleaning techniques to remove plaque and tartar, cleanse the mouth and ensure that teeth look sparkling and clean and your breath smells fresh.

Going to the hygienist is beneficial for everyone, whether you have excellent oral health or you suffer from serious dental issues.

You can now book appointments directly with our amazing hygienists, rather than being referred by a dentist. If you’d like to book a session with our hygienists, you can call the clinic or pop in and see is if you’re in Leeds.

How can I benefit from a visit to the hygienist?

Seeing a hygienist is really beneficial for your oral health, as intensive cleaning treatments rid the mouth of harmful bacteria and decrease the risk of plaque formation. Deep cleaning can also stimulate the gums and remove surface stains.

If you have gum disease, our hygienists will work to ease symptoms as quickly as possible and prevent the condition from getting worse; they work with our dentists to provide comprehensive care.

Our hygienists offer preventative services for younger patients, which can help to reduce the risk of decay; these treatments include fissure sealant treatment and fluoride varnish treatment.

Why Book A Dental Hygienist Appointment?

Sunday, November 9th, 2014

357249_blogMost people are aware of the benefits of regular routine check-ups; however, the benefits of seeing a dental hygienist on a regular basis may be less well-known. We have an excellent team of hygienists on hand to help you enjoy good oral health, a clean and sparkling smile and fresh breath. We strongly recommend regular dental hygiene sessions in addition to routine check-ups.

What do dental hygienists do and how could I benefit?

Dental hygienists are experts in providing oral hygiene and preventative dental treatments. Hygienists provide a range of treatments, including scale and polish, bad breath treatment, sealant treatment, gum disease management and fluoride varnish. Even if you have excellent standards of oral health and you are completely free from signs of decay or gum disease, you could still benefit from hygiene sessions because they help to reduce the risk of problems developing in the future, as well as giving your teeth a healthy glow.

We recommend preventative hygiene treatments for children, including fluoride varnish and sealant treatment. These treatments are designed to strengthen and protect the teeth and reduce the risk of cavities. Fluoride is a mineral, which hardens the animal, while sealant treatment creates a barrier between food debris and bacteria and the tiny pits in the biting surface of the teeth.

Seeing a hygienist is particularly beneficial for those with existing gum disease, a high risk of developing gum disease and patients who suffer from halitosis (bad breath).

How often should I see a dental hygienist?

We recommend an annual visit to the hygienist if you have a clean bill of oral health. If you have gum disease or you are seeking treatment for bad breath or you are prone to decay, we will probably recommend more frequent sessions.

Useful Oral Hygiene Tips For City Leeds Patients

Thursday, September 11th, 2014

357249_blogGood oral hygiene makes the world of difference when it comes to oral health and we are always here to offer advice about maintaining a clean and healthy mouth at home. By sticking to a good oral hygiene regime, you will reduce your risk of developing a host of dental problems, including gum disease, dental decay and bad breath.

Oral hygiene tips

Brushing and flossing

Brushing is really important and it only takes 2 minutes of your morning and evening to make a difference. Brushing removes bacteria and food debris from the mouth, which helps to prevent the development of plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colourless substance, which is made from bits of food, saliva and bacteria and it is bad news for oral health. Plaque irritates the gums and increases the risk of cavities. Brushing should take place twice a day, for at least 2 minutes each time. It’s advisable to use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen and protect the enamel.

Flossing is another really simple way of keeping your teeth and gums healthy and you only need to do it once a day. The beauty of flossing is that it takes over where brushing leaves off and it cleans the parts of the mouth that are tricky to cover with a toothbrush. Flossing can take a little getting used to, but it’s well worth persevering, as it helps to keep your teeth looking bright and clean, as well as keeping decay at arm’s length. When you floss, simply pass the dental tape through the cracks between the teeth and avoid pulling.

Seeing a dental hygienist

On top of good oral hygiene at home, we recommend seeing a dental hygienist. Our amazing dental hygienists can help to banish plaque, prevent gum disease and give your teeth a beautiful, white glow.

Which foods are best to avoid for good oral health in Central Leeds?

Tuesday, February 25th, 2014

293756_blogYou may be used to your dentist telling you about how important it is to brush your teeth twice a day, but what about your diet? As well as oral hygiene, the foods you eat can also have a major impact on your oral health and no amount of brushing will be able to save your teeth if you consume excessive amounts of foods that are ‘bad’ for your teeth. Sugar is the number one enemy for the teeth, as it causes bacteria in your mouth to produce acids, known as plaque acids, which erode the enamel. Although enamel is the hardest substance in the body, there is a limit to how many attacks it can withstand and eventually, it can become thin and worn. Most people are aware that their favourite treats, like doughnuts, biscuits and chocolate bars, are laden with sugar, but you may be surprised to find out that sports drinks, fruit juice and shop-bought smoothies, can also be packed full of sugar. Another problem food is starchy carbohydrates, such as crisps, for example; carbohydrates are broken down into sugars, so they have the same effect as simple sugars and foods like crisps also tend to cling to the enamel and get stuck in the pits in the biting surfaces of the teeth. Drinking certain beverages, such as coffee, tea, red and white wine, can also contribute to discolouration of the teeth, so it’s best to avoid these if you are determined to keep your pearly whites clean and bright.

 

 

Oral hygiene tips to make your smile glow!

Thursday, February 13th, 2014

357249_blogMany people assume that they need to see a dentist for professional whitening treatment to achieve a glowing smile, but you can actually make a massive difference to the look of your teeth by maintaining good oral hygiene and steering clear of things that discolour your teeth. Oral hygiene is really important for your oral health, but is also has a bearing on the aesthetic of your teeth. Regular cleaning helps to keep the enamel strong and gives your teeth a radiant, smooth finish, if the enamel becomes worn, the dentin becomes visible and this is yellow in colour. Your diet can also have an influence on the colour and strength of your teeth. Foods which are strongly coloured, such as coffee and red wine, can contribute to discolouration, as can acidic drinks, such as white wine. Acidic foods and drinks erode the enamel, causing it to become thinner. When brushing, take care to cover all areas of your mouth and devote equal time to each corner of the mouth; try to angle your brush so that you are able to cover the gum line, as well as the chewing and biting surfaces of the teeth and avoid brushing too hard, as this can damage the enamel. In addition to brushing, it’s important to floss, as this helps you to clean between the teeth. You can also ask your dentist about using inter-dental brushes, which are tiny brushes, specifically designed to clean the cracks between the teeth. If after heeding all this advice, you still want to inject a bit of extra sparkle into your smile, whitening could be the answer.